Key events
Police are looking for the owners of a wooden cabinet, inside which they found 60kg of methamphetamine hidden in silver packages behind a false backing.
The cabinet was sent via sea cargo from Canada and arrived in Sydney on May 9, addressed to western Sydney, with the name of a Chinese national listed as the receiver.
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The substance returned a positive test for methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $54m.
The multi-agency operation investigating how the illicit drugs were imported into Australia has been codenamed Taskforce Phobetor. (Phobetor, for those asking, was invented by Ovid as one of the sons of Sleep, a brother of Morpheus and god of nightmares who appeared in the form of a snake or bird)
Taskforce Phobetor Commander, Detective Superintendent Stuart Cadden, said:
We are certain there are people in Australia who know something about this importation, either as the receiver or future distributer.
By now, these people might be concerned that their drugs have not arrived.
We are urging anyone who can identify the cabinet or who may have knowledge to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au.
Taking us back a moment to last night’s match where Sweden knocked out Japan, to appreciate the touching moment Jonna Andersson took time away from her team’s celebration to comfort Maika Hamano.
The Swedish fullback Andersson told reporters afterwards:
I got sad because I saw she was sad … I said that she had a lot of championships ahead of her.
The 19-year-old Japanese forward Hamano has spent the current season at Andersson’s current club Hammarby in Stockholm, Reuters reports.
Sports reporter at The Age, Marnie Vinall, says she’s seen similar acts of cross-team solidarity at almost every game.
I’ve seen this at almost every game and I think it’s something that really sets apart the women’s game. Off the pitch, all players have been fighting together for better recognition, pay and conditions and to help grow the women’s comps. There’s a big sense of global camaraderie. https://t.co/IZQ0UE6ii5
— Marnie Vinall (@marnievinall) August 11, 2023
One man dead, two others escape house fire
Stepping away from the Matildas, AAP have some sorry news out of Victoria:
A man has died and two other men have escaped unharmed after a fire broke out in a house in southwestern Victoria.
Emergency Services were called to a residence at Diana Street, Apollo Bay about 12.30am on Friday.
A 40-year-old man was removed from the property and given CPR but he could not be revived.
Another two men who were at the property were treated at the scene by ambulance crews.
A crime scene has been established as detectives establish the cause of the blaze.
We also have a very special bonus Full Story episode for you. Long time Matildas fan and assistant sport editor Jo Khan analyses the strategies that will be showcased tonight for newer Matildas fan Jane Lee:
If you’re like me and just realised what all the fuss about the Women’s World Cup is, you’re in luck! @_jokhan explains everything you need to know to watch the Matildas’ quarter final against France today in her Full Story debut 🎧 https://t.co/qmV6vw8VuL
— Jane Lee (@JaneSYLee) August 11, 2023
The nation’s papers (including a special edition of the Kerr-ier Mail) are covered in green and gold this morning. The Herald Sun takes the prize for best headline with “show ‘em no merci.”
If you missed last night’s action on the other side of the draw, Spain and Sweden have already secured their spots in the semis with super exciting wins you can catch up on here:
And here:
Good morning!
And welcome to our live news blog on this most important day for the nation as the Matildas take on France in a blockbuster Women’s World Cup quarterfinal.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson is yet to confirm whether striker Sam Kerr will start tonight, but says if she is fit, he’ll have no hesitation doing so.
As we wait for the match to get underway at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium at 5pm AEST, you can quantifiably prove your Matildas superfan status to your friends, family, and the world at large, by taking this quiz.
You can also read up on predictions for all of the Women’s World Cup quarter-final matches from Guardian columnist and former England football international, Anita Asante, here.
As Asante writes, were Australia v France the final there would have been few complaints, but – fair warning – you might not like her prediction of France to win on penalties.
There is of course other news around this morning, and we’ll be bringing you updates on the different moving parts around the country this morning as we collectively hold our breaths for what some are describing as the biggest night in sport since the Sydney Olympics.
Let’s get into it!